Wednesday, November 28, 2007

"I think she's got it!"

The last few days I've been spinning, and plying, and spinning some more. Here's what 4oz of FatCatKnits (etsy) "Find Jay" looks like, 2-plied (416yds): 100% combed, handpainted MerinoThis yarn is so soft, and squishy, it bounces right back into shape whatever you do with it! I love it! The colores are a little boring, but I can live with that. I wish I could knit up all my handspun yarn as soon as it's dry. But alas, it has to go into my handspun stash for later.

Now we come to that title of this post :"I think she's got it!" is a quote from "My Fair Lady" (1964). I love the movie, watched it many times, but haven't in a long time. But as soon as it clicked in my head, I thought of this line. What clicked? Navajo plying!!!! Can you believe it? Manuela sent me this link with two videos of someone navajo plying, and watching her, how she's holding the yarn, it suddenly clicked and I knew I could do it. It's weird, really, because I saw several other videos, and some pictures, good ones too, and I had so much trouble with all that's going on with navajo plying.

edited: I forgot to take a picture of this mini skein; just a couple of yds from left over singles from the "Find Jay" yarn. I used it to try navajo plying before I did the following. It looks a little different, of course, but it encouraged me to keep going.

So, as soon as I knew it's not that hard, I decided on the roving for my hat. As you know the last time I produced a rather loopy, knobby, hard, overtwisted yarn with this method, and still I cast on for a hat, and promptly ran out of yarn. I had to make some more, and here it is:

It's not perfect yet, but oh so much better! It was even a pleasure to do it! I found out that it makes it even more easy, if there's no overtwist in the singles you want to navajo ply. Maybe my singles was just too fresh, because I couldn't wait to get to it, and see if I really can do it. Needless to point out, that I'm VERY, VERY, pleased with myself. Learned something new. Now I just need more practice, and it will be useful for the future.

Can you see the fuzziness of the yarn? It's three kinds of different mohair/wool blends. It was surprising easy to spin, but the tiny hairs tickled my nose several times. And I've got hair all over my cloth, still it was fun. I just hope I'll have enough to finish the hat now.

This was my last, disastrous attempt. I like how it looks in this cake.

That's how far I got with the hat. I tried several other spun samples I have lying around, but nothing worked. I'm using the Noro hat pattern for it. At first I thought it was going to be too small, but soon realized that it's going to be as big as the first one I made. Better big, than too small, it always can shrink a little with washing. Right?

18 comments:

The colors are far from boring! Love, Love, love them all - congratulations on getting the hang of navajo plying! BTW, as soon as I read the title I knew what you were referring too! Love that movie :)

Ah, you are getting so good at this. I envy your spinning ability. The hat is coming along nicely, too. I think when I made it I cast on 10 less stitches or something. It was still "roomy" but wearable.

I found you through the Spunky Club blog and just wanted to say your spinning is beautiful! I'm just learning how to spin so blogs like yours are really inspirational. Thanks for the links on Navajo plying - I'm not quite up to that level yet I don't think but when I am they will be very helpful.

The movie I used to watch a lot was "that touch of mink". I don't know why, it just made me smile every time I watched it. Navajo plying is really fun. Although, I noticed it uses a LOT of yarn to make a decent skein. Of course, I did it on a drop spindle, so I really can't say. I'm looking forward to a spinning wheel. I feel like I'm missing out on something by not having it.

The hat is great! I love the colors. I would wear that one with pride! Your spinning is gorgeous! I always love coming to your blog and seeing yarn I can't fondle. Bittersweet I spose. :D

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About Me

I live in Canada now, but I'm originally from Austria.
My White Shepherd Happy, and Denny the mutt, are my constant companions. Maggie is my sons dog, but she's with me most of the day. I have two grown kids too ;o) by the way.